Wendy is facing backlash over her latest solo release. The Red Velvet member’s comeback with Cerulean Verge has seen alarmingly low sales, drawing criticism from fans and industry observers alike.
On its release day, Cerulean Verge only managed to sell approximately 30,200 copies—less than half of her previous solo efforts. For comparison, her 2021 debut Like Water sold over 68,000 copies on the first day, while Wish You Hell in 2024 sold around 68,600.
Wendy’s switch to ASND Label after leaving SM Entertainment has raised questions about her career trajectory. The numbers reveal a stark contrast with her Red Velvet peers. Irene’s solo album Like A Flower tallied an impressive 250,000 sales, and Seulgi‘s 28 Reasons hit 134,000.
The situation has heated up online, with fans debating Wendy’s future outside of a major label.
“A whole month of promo and Twitter hype, and nugu Wendy still can’t crack 50k sales ,” one user tweeted, adding that only Irene is keeping Red Velvet relevant.
Another argued that Wendy’s sales are significant for an artist who just left a top-tier agency, saying, “Wendy is one of the few idols that can have solo careers after leaving their agency instead of going to acting.”
Despite mixed reactions, Wendy’s situation highlights the competitive K-Pop landscape and the challenges solo artists face after departing from powerhouse companies. As the conversation unfolds, all eyes will be on Wendy’s next moves.
